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Israel Project chief leaving to start new firm

Government affairs guru Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi is resigning as chief executive officer of The Israel Project, a pro-Israel nonprofit educational organization, and starting her own public relations and government affairs company.

Her new firm, Laszlo Strategies, will veer away from Israel-focused advocacy, aiming to primarily work with organizations advocating for medical innovations and the disabled, Laszlo Mizrahi told POLITICO. Autism, cerebral palsy and other neurological conditions will be of particular focus.

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“I’m tired of these issues not being taken seriously enough in public policy,” she said, noting that she’s the mother of a disabled child. “There is no ‘disability voter’ per se. We think we’ll fill a need.”

Laszlo Strategies will, however, also seek communications, public relations, polling and organizing jobs with both foreign and domestic political clients.

“I don’t think anyone can keep the lights on with just non-profit work,” Laszlo Mizrahi said.

During the 1990s, Laszlo Mizrahi made her name as a political consultant for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaigns and those of dozens of congressional candidates and advocacy organizations through her former firm, Laszlo & Associates.

But Laszlo Mizrahi says she has no immediate plans to personally engage in state-side politics, leaving such work to her colleagues.

As for The Israel Project, the organization has appointed Cathy Bolinger, its chief operating and financial officer, as interim chief executive officer, Chairman Len Leader confirmed.

The Israel Project employs 70 people between Washington and Jerusalem and reports a budget of $11 million.

Its work has included organizing trips to Israel for journalists and politicians, then Sen. Barack Obama in 2008.

“We can continue our important work — getting out the facts about Israel and the Middle East — at the same high level without any lag during our transition period,” Leader said.

In case there’s any hitch, Laszlo Mizrahi won’t be far: Her firm’s offices will be located in the same downtown Washington address of 2020 K Street.